March 14, 2005

France Paralyzed

When we think we've got a fiscal nightmare with out-of-control entitlements and exploding public sector growth, it's instructive to look to Europe, where unemployment is at roughly double the levels here, and economic growth rates less than half of ours. The French government knows the Golden Goose is greatly diseased, and is desperately trying to negotiate curbs on pensions, get contributions from workers for health care costs, and increase economic output by say, allowing a work week longer than 35 hours.

The response of French civil service workers to this outrageous notion is to shut down the country in a massive shit fit...

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Paris, answering the call of unions for a massive turnout to defend France's 35-hour workweek and to push for more jobs and salary talks. Protests nationwide drew big crowds, including 35,000 people in Bordeaux and 25,000 in Marseille, police said.